By Sonya Magett, BlackVoices.com
It's been almost ten years since the Man Formerly Known As Diddy launched the Sean John clothing line, and five since his last runway show, so the anticipation for his Fall 2008 show presented last Friday was quite befitting.
Combs stands to again even more recognition after delivering a collection that paid homage to those designers who paved the way for him: Icons Willi Smith, Patrick Kelly, Byron Lars, Stephen Burrows, Karl Kani, Patrick Robinson and Tracy Reese were all acknowledged. "I celebate the path they carved or me, this couldn't have happened without them" said Combs. Nice.
Sean John Fall 2008
Tracy Reese Fall 2008
Bobbi Thomas and Designer Tracy Reese attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419730), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Bobbi Thomas and Designer Tracy Reese attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419729), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Lee Daniels and guest attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419728), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
The Three Graces attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419727), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Miss USA Rachel Smith attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419726), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Photographer Nigel Barker attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419725), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Damien Fahey attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419724), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Levin Rambin attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419723), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Levin Rambin attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419722), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Levin Rambin attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 Tracy Reese front row and backstage at The Promenade, Bryant Park on February 3, 2007 in New York City..Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 - Tracy Reese - Front Row and Backstage.The Promenade, Bryant Park.New York, NY United States.February 3, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (15419721), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Baby Phat Fall 2008
Singer Joss Stone attends Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
A model displays a creation from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display creations from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display creations from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
A model displays a creation from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
A model displays a creation from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display creations from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display creations from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display creations from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Models display a creation from the Baby Phat, Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2008 collection, during the New York Fashion Week, February 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marko Georgiev (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
And how brilliant of him to also have former model/model agent Bethann Hardison (who reps Tyson Beckford, who closed the Sean John show as the last model) as casting consultant not long after her bi-annual conference that addresed the lack of Black models on the runway!?
We have to give it to him, he didn't talk about it, he did the damn thing with all black models in the show.
As for the collection itself, there were many cropped jackets reminiscent of those worn by the hotel bellboy except these versions were luxe in leather, sharkskin and wool paired with slim, fitted trousers. There was certainly a strong European influence. It was quite a departure for the traditional Sean John customer.
The Sean John regular however need not fret, there were many high style offerings for him: fur-trims, sweaters with fur fronts, 3/4 coats in grey, eggplant suede and other rich, dark tones is where the strength lied in the lineup.
Combs later told us his muse is "a young king in Harlem in the year 2020 who is so swagged out, you can find him jumping out of a droptop Maybach. I've evolved aesthetically as a designer, so it's about fine tailoring, a closer fit to the body was very important."
Call it urban luxury remixed.
Comments: (47)
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By: Eric Brown on 2/12/2008 8:06AM
wtf Puffy?? A young king in Harlem?? Contrary to popular belief, there are not that many "droptop Maybachs" rollin thru Harlem nor will there be. Man, the audacity of this crap is amazing. Just say you want people in places other than the U.S. to buy Sean John cuz that was the target audience, not the the young kings in Harlem.....aaaarrrrrggggghhh!
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By: nefam on 2/12/2008 8:59AM
Who would wear that crap? Those high fashion shows always have the most impractical clothing especially for a dude. Diddy has lost a grip on wear he's actually from and what's worn and what goes on there. He needs to venture past fifth ave.
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By: Tuch on 2/12/2008 12:00PM
Ok people, here it goes. We have just witnessed nothing more than Puff- excuse me - P. Diddy, finaly falling and bumping his head on something extreamely sharp. King into a ruler?!...In Harlem?!...The year 2020?!......Dudes hoping out of Maybachs?!....Are you fu@#!ing kidding me. Puff is tripping yo! LMAO. I ain't gonna where that crap! He got those dudes dressed up like chicks!!lol Good one P. Diddy! You get sillier and sillier every year...He told us he wouldn't stop! LMAO....Take that, take that!!!LMAO
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By: David on 2/12/2008 12:29PM
The out are not practical,the show lookes ghetto. Is Puffy sleeping with this model Ellen Pompeo? She's on every other picture here. Was she the super Star of the event?
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By: Teinesha Brown on 2/12/2008 5:33PM
I'm sitting here reading these comment and I now realize how stupid people really are. Anyone with a little common sense knows, that a fashion show is what it is a fashion SHOW. The clothes they wear are not what you see in clothing stores. Those items are for SHOW. I use to be a Diddy fan and I guess I still am one beause after reading these comments I felt the need to voice my opinion. Just remember those fasion shows are for rich folk, instead of going to the movies the have fasion shows.
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By: BEAUTIFUL ONE on 2/12/2008 2:01PM
HE DID NOT TALK THE TALK - HE WALKED THE WALK!
ALL MODELS OFF COLOR RIPPING THE RUNWAY - FABULOUS!
BEST
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By: Big Jay on 2/12/2008 10:19PM
Yes i know its a fashion show. And yes i know these clothes will never be on the street. But from the comments P-Diddy makes from his shows to making the band (bitchassness) its clear from the clothes show that he has some in him!Show or no show the clothes should not be so GIRLY! Makes those guys look gay.My advice is to just MAN UP! lol.......
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By: dede on 2/13/2008 12:39AM
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By: LilHalfWit on 2/13/2008 7:35AM
Diddy is a racist mudda fugga. Why now hite models this is racist call Da Revs Al n Jesse. Diddy is an asshole and his clothing does not play well in the workplace.
Shalom
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By: LETHA on 2/13/2008 8:49AM
OK NOW MOST OF THAT WAS AWFUL. ALOT OF IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHIN A WOMAN WOULD WEAR...I WOULD BUY THE SCARF LOL I KNOW ITS A FASHION SHOW BUT I STILL DONT GET HOW THEY COME UP WITH ALOT OF THE SILLY THINGS THEY DO...ALL I CAN SAY IS ATLEAST THE MODELS DIDNT COME OUT WITH FEATHERED BASEBALL CAPS LOL
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